Wounded Vet to Fish in ‘Ding’ Tarpon Tourney
OutdoorHub 04.24.14
He missed the official “Jon Carnes Day” in April 2013, when he was unable to accompany friend and fellow injured marine, Corporal Christian Brown, to Sanibel and Captiva, because of medical treatments.
Corporal Jon Carnes is not about to miss a chance to visit his old stomping grounds and fish for tarpon in the “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament next month on May 3. Jensen’s Marina and Twin Palms Resort on Captiva Island, in partnership with Operation Open Arms (OOA), will make sure he does not.
Jensen’s owners Dave, John, and Jim have paid for Carnes’ flight from Washington, D.C., to Southwest Florida, where he once lived and attended high school. They also paid the tournament boat fee ($500) and hired fishing guide Capt. Chick Melfi and will host Carnes and his girlfriend, Veronica Drake, for two nights at their resort. The couple will then spend three complimentary nights at ‘Tween Waters Inn on Captiva Island.
Doc Ford’s Sanibel Rum Bar & Grille is providing meal gift certificates during their stay, and J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge will donate a free guided tour of the refuge. OOA, a non-for-profit that organizes fishing and other sporting experiences for wounded veterans, will provide limousine service from the airport to the islands.
“I am so grateful for Operation Open Arms and the Jensens for making this work out, because I was so disappointed to miss the last opportunity,” said Carnes. “I love to fish, especially for snook and tarpon. This will be a first for Veronica, whom I met while recovering at Walter Reed Hospital. She’s ready to take first place in the tournament’s ladies division!”
Carnes attended Gulf Coast High School in Naples, where he competed in diving, football, and lacrosse. His family has since left Naples. The 21-year-old former Marine officer lost his right leg from the knee down and suffered extensive damage to his right leg and arm after stepping on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. He has received the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon Good Conduct Medal, and numerous other citations for bravery.
“We’re really happy to do this for our men and women out in the field risking limbs and life for our way of life,” said Dave Jensen, whose family has hosted other wounded veterans through Operation Open Arms. “Capt. John ‘GiddyUp’ Bunch used to be a fishing guide in these parts, and has been running Operation Open Arms for nine years. It’s a great thing he has devoted a lot of time and effort into.”
OOA has served nearly 3,000 U.S. troops since its inception, including free full-service weddings. The Jensens will also host another veteran through the organization in a second boat in the tournament.
The third annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament is a catch, care, and release tournament that takes place at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille on Fort Myers Beach. It is one of few tarpon tournaments in Florida to award 100 percent of its boat fees to the awards purse. Funds raised from sponsorships and silent auctions benefit conservation at “Ding” Darling.
